Automatic gun.



PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907.

M. L. BRISTOL.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov.1, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

, No. 862,384. PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907.

M. L. BRISTOL.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

APPLICATION ULEB Nov. 1, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907.

M. L. BRISTOL.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Eig@

Wjmasaaa. TrLvErL-mr.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907.

M. L. BRISTOL.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

APYLIOATION FILED Nov 1 1904 'TED STATES.,

,PATENT OFFICE.'

MORTIMER L. BRISTOL, WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLTS PATENT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1907.

l Application led November 1,1904. Serial No. 230,989.

VVlo all whom it may concern: i.

Be it known that I, MORTIMER L. BRISTOL, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Hartford, in the lcounty of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Guns, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to .the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof. l This invention relates to improvements in that class of automatic guns known as recoil-operated guns. In the arms of this class the pressure of the gases generated in the barrel by the explosion of the powder- -charge of a cartridge, expended in forward direction in the propulsion of the bullet through and from the bore of the barrel, is in rearward direction utilized to produce the rearward movement of the breech-block, and, the barrel being 'at the time of ring interlocked therewith, of the barrel. During the rearward movement, or recoil, of these parts, the excess of energy of recoil is stored in suitable means which yieldingly support the breech-'block and the barrel in their forward position, and at the end of their recoil return these parts to their forward, firing position. During this reciprocating movement of the barrel and the breech-block the entire cycle of functions of the breech-mechanism is automatically performed; the breech is opened, the empty cartridge-case is extracted from the chamber and ejected from the gun, acharged cartridge is presented in position for introduction into the chamber ofthe barrel, the firing mechanism is cocked, the charged cartridge is thrust into the chamber, the breech is closed and securely locked and the firing mechanism is re, leased to explode the cartridge. The energy of recoil is thus prevented from exerting itself disturbingly upon the gun and its mount by being absorbed and utilized in `effecting the operations of the breech-mechanism of the arm, and in automatically producing rapid successive firing; it being only necessary te furnish a supply of cartridges, to thrust in and firel the first cartridge by hand in the gun, which then automatically continues the operations so long as cartridges are supplied. The object of this invention is to produces. gun provided with a simple and eflicient mechanism to be aetuated by the gas-pressure in the barrel, to interlock the barrel and the breech-block of the arm in their fird ing position, to support and guide them while recoiling still locked together, to unlock them at the end of the recoil, to return them separately 'to their forward position'and during the return movement to open the breech and perform all of the functions preparatory to firing another shot, and finally, at will, to fire the gun.

Another object of this invention is to produce an automatic gun provided with reliable means for at all times controlling the rapid automatic firing of the arm class, but by at will interrupting the operations of the breech-mechanism at the time when the breech is fully opened and before a charged cartridge has been thrust into the barrel. This arrangement positively aver-ts the serious danger of uncontrollable firing continuing unchecked even though the operations of the ing mechanism are arrested, which danger exists in guns in which the control of firing depends upon at will releasing the cocked firing mechanism so as to allow it to strike upon the primer of the cartridge in the barrel the igniting blow, or at will preventing the ignition byretaining the firing mechanism in cocked position. vBy 'continued rapid firing the barrel ofV a gun becomes heated to such a degree that the powder charge of a cartridge inserted therein will be ignited by the heat transmitted to it, and the Afiring will be continued even though no percussion upon the primer occurs. IIn order to positively control the firing even under these conditions, so as to be able to stop the firing and also to start it again without delay, it is required to prevent at will .the thrusting of a charged cartridgeA into the heated barrel, but yet to hold a cartridge in the gun ready to bethrust in and to be exploded. To entirely cut off Vthe supply of cartridges from the gun would not result in the desired control, because, while this would arrest the firing, itwould also prevent the firing from being instantly recommenced at will, as some time and manual operations .would `be required to again supply cartridges to the gun and to carry the first cartridge in the gun forward to the position where it is presented ready to be thrust into the chamber of the barrel.

The invention consists in certain improved constructions, more particularly set forthin the claims hereinafter following and forming a part of this specification, and in the combination of parts and mechanisms and their operations hereinafter'described and` illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichl Figure 1 isa longitudinal, vertical section of the rear portion of the gun, showing the breech-mechanism in the closed position. Fig. 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1, but showing the barrel and the breech-mechanism in the rearmost position which they have at the end of their recoil, and beforethe barrel is returned forward. Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 1, but showing the barrel and the inner frame returned to the forward position, and the breech-block in the rearmost position. Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse section of the gun on the line 7`-7 of Fig. 1, looking forward, showing the feedwheel and the feed-belt in rear-view. Fig. 5 is a vertical, transverse section on the line 8-8 of Fig. l, looking forward. Fig. 6 is a vertical, transverse section on the line 9-9 of Fig. l, looking forward. f Fig. 7 is a vertical,

transverse section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 1, looking forward, showing the vertical cam-pins in rear-view. 8 is a vertical, transverse section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 2, looking forward. Fig. 9 is a detached per-` spective View of the rear portion of the barrel and of the inner frame. Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view of the breech-block, showing the breech-bolt and the rear end of the bolt-tube. Fig.. 11 is a detached perspective view of the head of the breech-bolt, showing the front face and one side of it. Fig. 12v is a partial, longitudinal section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 6, showing the firing mechanism. Fig. 13 is a partial, horizontal s'ection on the line l6-16 of Fig. 12, showing a plan` of the firing mechanism. Fig.. 14 is a detached front-view of the hammer and sear, and of the vertical stud of the bolt-tube. Fig. l5 is a rear view of the gun. Fig. 3", represents a partial longitudinal section of the casing, cover and receiver, -similar` to Fig. 3, but lwith the breechfbolt and the rod E left away, to show more clearly the passage c andthe exit a7 for the ejection of the cartridge-cases. Fig. isL is a vertical, transverse sec-.

tion showing the lower part of the barrel, feed-wheel,

casing and the rod-E, similar to Fig. 4, but on an enlarged scale. Fig'. 4", represents a side view and a top view of the forward portion of the rod E detached, the

lowest two radial arms of the feed-wheel being shown in section in the top view. Fig. 5f, is a cross-section of the casing, cover and receiver, similar to Fig. 5, but on a line 'ust in rear of the overhanging projection c", and with tlie breech-bolt left away, to more clearly show the. passage e and the exit a7. Fig. 11' is a longitudinal section of the head of the breech-bolt, in the plane through the axis of the Ypistons ,gi g?.

Similar letters refer several views. l

The lgun represented in the drawings` as an embodiment of the invention consistsin its construction, of four principal parts, the outer frame or casing A, the barrel B, the inner frame or barrel-extension C and the breech-mechanism. Of these the outer frame is stationary or non-recoiling, being provided with loops a, al, for its attachment upon the usual gun mount of a gun-carriage or tripod. i i v The barrel B is firmly attached yto the inner frame C which thus forms a rearward extension of the barrel, both the barrelB and theinner frame C are entered from the rear into the casing A which securely supports and carries them, but in which they are fitted to slide longitudinally, their movement being limited in forward direction by the solid `front end of the casing A, and in rearward direction by the rear-plate I, svhich is removably secured in the casing, closes the same and binds together itsside walls. The central opening in the front of the casing is surrounded by a circular boss through which the barrel extends and in which the cylindrical rear portion of the barrel is guided.

The form of the casing A is that of a cylinder from the top of which a segment has'been removed in its entire length, to give access to its interior. `The parti-cylindrical cover A is fitted to the top of the casing and attached thereto by the hinge and longitudinal hingepin 0.3, on the right, and by asimilar locking-pin a4 on the left side. The cover A.1 .closes and strengthens the casing being interlocked with both its side Walls.

to similar parts throughout the eoasss From the bai-rei rearward the left side of'the cover A1 forms a tube-shaped seat in which the locking pin a4 is carried, and the left edge ofthe casing A has a .longitudinal recess for its reception,` at both ends the tube -entirely incloses the locking-pin, but at intermediate places of its length an outer segment of the tube and the pinis cut away and the recess in the casing is shaped to fit the remaining hook-shaped.v projection of the cover and the flattened'lockingpin, lFigs. 5, 6 & 7. On the rear end of the locking-pin a turn-button a5 is fixed, which projects from the rear of the cover, by

of the pin clears the edge ofithe casing and releases the cover, which then maybe raised and turned to the right, to open the gun-casing. Wheny the turn-button a.6 is turned down" the rotation' of the locking pin a4 causesit to enter a segmental recess in the left side wall of the casing and thereby to securely lock the cover to ,the casing, Figs. 5, 6 & 7. To vkeep the turn-button la in the lower position, a small piston a is fitted into ithe cover over the turnbutton and a spiraly spring "presses the piston downward against the turn-button. and thus-.yieldingly holds the button and the locking pin in the locked position, Fig. 8.

In the casing A, between its front end and that of the inner .frame C, the cartridge-feed-Wheel D is mounted upon the barrel B, it consists Yof a cylinder having a flange at each end'in which a series of semi-circular longitudinal grooves is cut, each groove separated from the next by a radial projection.'4 The seat for the feedwheel in the casing is open at the top, the lower portion forming a recess into which the feed-wheel D is introduced from above and wherein it is held by the barrel passing through it, so that the feed-wheel may revolve upon the barrel, but is prevented from moving lengthwise by itsforward ange fitting the recess inthe casing. i

'As shown inFig. 4 the sides of the casing are cut ldown at the feed-wheel and with the corresponding under side of the cover form a transverse channel \D v through the gun, which extends some distance forward and rearward ,of the feed-wheel, excepting the opening through the right side-Wall of the casing which is only as long as is the' space between the-flanges ofthe feed-wheel. This channel serves for the' introduction of cartridges to the gun. The cartridges are contained "in the pockets of the feed-belt D2' which inclose the central part of them and from which both ends of-the lcartridges project. The feed-belt is introduced into the gun from the left side, led over the feed-wheel, and out through the right side-opening in the casing. On the feed-wheel the feed-belt occupies the space between the flanges, the projecting ends of the cartridges fitting into thegrooves in the flanges, so that by the stepwise rotation of the feedwheel'from the left to the right side the belt and the cartridges are drawn into the gun, and, the topmost cartridge being withdrawn into thel receiver during each step of the rotation, the empty lfeed-belt is ejected from theright side of the gun,

4. This construction of the feed-wheel and feed-belt being a wellknown one, as applied to guns of this class, it does not require to be furtherspecified.-

The stepwise rotation of the feed-wheel is actuated upward pressure against this button the lockingpin is turned on its longitudinal axis until the flattened part l this purpose a series of cam-grooves b, b, is cut in the surface of the barrel upon which the feed-wheel is mounted and two substantially opposite radial pins rl, (l, fixed in the feed-wheel project inward into the cam-grooves of the barrel, the number of the camgrooves being equal to the number of grooves in the flanges of the feed-wheel. As seen in Figs. 3 and 9, each of the cam-grooves b, b, consists of two communicating portions, of which one extends from near the rear end 'of the barrel forward for some distance to'apointkwhere it unites with the other portion of the groove which extends further forward. The remaining, uncut surface of the barrel between the grooves b, b, forms two series of tongues or lands, one extending from the rear and one from the front between the grooves, and separating the same. Looking from the rear towards the front of the barrel, the left hand edge of each of these tongues, in the forward series as well as in the rear series, is parallel to the axis of the barrel, and the right hand edge of each tongue is inclined. The right hand edges of the tongues in the rear series inclineforward and to the left side, while the right hand edges of the tongues in the forward series incline forward and to the right side, and the pointed front ends of the rear tongues stand midway between the pointed rear ends of the forward tongues, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9. From this description it will be plain, that,

when the cam-pin d stands in the rear end of one of the grooves b, b, and the barrel is moved rearward through the feed-wheel D, the cam-pin will not be moved laterally while the left parallel edge of the rear tongue passes b y the pin, but when, during the rearward movement ofthe barrel, the cam-pin enters the forward portion of the cam-groove, it will be engaged by the inclined right edge of the forward tongue and the continued rearward movement of the barrel will move the cam-pin d towards the right side, and thus rotate the feed-wheel D from the left to the right side of the gun; during the forward, return movement of the barrel the cam-pin stands still while the left parallel edge ofthe forward tongue passes it, but when the point of the rear tongue reaches it, the cam-pin will enter the `rear portion of the next groove to the right, and the inclined right edge of the rear tongue will move the cam-pin d to the right, thus further rotating the feed-wheel D to the right side. When the barrel recoils the action of the cam-grooves in its circumference on the cam pins of the feed-wheel'causes the feed-wheel to be rotated from the left to the right side about one-half of the distance between two successive grooves in the flanges, and on the return or forward movement of the barrel the feed-wheel is rotated in the same direction sufiiciently to complete one step; so that by each complete rear andforward movement of the barrel the succeeding cartridge on thefeed-wheel is carried to the topmost position, bringing its rearward projecting head into the receiver and into the reach of the head of the breech-block by which ,it will be grasped and the cartridge withdrawn rearward into the receiver and introduced into the barrel.

The inner frame C also is cylindrical in form,its forward end incloses the breech-end of the barrel and a lug C1 projects from the inner frame into a central 1ongitudinal recess in the bottom of the casing A, and serves to guido the barrel and inner frame during the rear and forward movement therein and to prevent their-rotation. The forward end of the inner frame surrounds the breech-end of the barrel, but from the barrel rearward a segment has been removed from the top of the inner frame, laying open the interior which is fitted to receive the breech-block and to support and guide it in its movements.

' In' the groove in the bottom of the casing the longitudinal rod E is arranged for a limited rear and forward movement, the forward end of the rod E is enlarged to form the head el The head e is cylindrical, concentric with the rod E and fits into the groove in the bottom of the casing. From the forward end of the head c the upper portion has been removed, the remaining segment fills the groove and its top surface corresponds with the interior surface of the casing, so that it clears the pathof the radial arms or projections on the feedwheel D and does not interfere with the rotation ofthe same, Figs. 4 & 4". On this surface the head e carries two projections el & e2, the front one el. located at the right and the rear one e'- at the left side of the axis of the rod and head, as seen when looking forward, Figs. 4, & 4; the Width between the exterior sides of the projections ex & e'Z on the head is equal to the distance between two contiguous arms of the feed-wheel, and the width between the interior sides of the projections e'1 & e2, is yequal toithe width of each one of the radial arms. When the rod E stands in its forward position, as shown in Figs. 1 & 3, the two lowest radial arms of the feed-wheel stand 4one at each side of the head e and in line with the rear projection e2 of the head, so that the-right side of the left radial arm rests against the exterior side of the projection e2, as shown in Figs. 4 & 4h, thereby preventing backward rotation of the feedwheel in Fig, l4b a top view of theheade is represented and the two arms of the feed-wheel are indicated in section in this position.

Before the rod E is moved to the rear, the rotation for half a step of the feed-wheel has carriedthe radial arm from the right side of the head c towards the left, (the direction of the movement being the reverse from that at the top of the feed-wheel,) until tl1 e radial arm stands vertically over the axis of the head e, and against the right side of the projection e2. The rearward movement of the rod E now carries back the forward projection eI until it stands in line with and at the right side of this radial arm, as indicated in dotted lines in the top View in Fig. 4, thereby preventing backward rotation of the feed-wheel. Before the rod E is returned forward, the feed-wheel is rotated an-` other half step, which carries the radial arms to the left until an arm again stands at each side of the head e and the right` arm against the projection el, then the forward movement of the head returns the projection c2 to the position at the right of the left radial arm: Thus the head e permits but limits'the steps of rotation of the feed-wheel in one direction, while it prevents its rotation in the opposite direction.

ln rear of the head e the rod E is flattened on both sides for some distance and passes through the lug G1 depending from the inner frame C, this lug C is bifurcated by a vertical slot just wide enough to allow the lug to clasp the flattened portion of the rod E. On the rod E the spiral re-action-spring F is mounted, its front end resting against the lng G of the inner frame, the

sides of the rod E at the end o the flattening, and forces rear end against a washer f, which isheld in place by h the rear plate I ofthe casing A; the spring F thus exerts its tension to yieldingly support the inner frame and the barrel in their forward position, and when these are moved rearward, as by the recoil, the spring F is compressed andthe lug Cl during the last ofthe rearwardmovement strikes the shoulders `formed on the the rod E rearward for a short distance; during the, last oi thereturn or forward movement of the inner frame and barrel under the aclion oi'the spring F, the lug C1, striking the head e retu s the rod E to its forward position. This rear-and forward movement of the rod causes the head e of the rod to clear in succession the radial projections of the feed-wheel and to allow'the latter to be intermittently rotated in one direction; but'the head e at all times prevents the feed-wheel from. being rotated in the opposite direction, as herein above explained.

From the barrel rearward the interior oi the inner frame C forms the receiver in which the breech-block is'V securely locked in the ringposition and guided while opening and closing the breech. The breechblock consists of two parts, the breech-bolt G and the bolt-tube H. The breech-bolt-G1 is a cylinder provided at its iront end with an integral head G, orming a vertical cross-head the ends of which project above and below the outside oi the cylindrical body,

at right angles to the axis, and the Width of which between its parallel sides is somewhat less than the extel "rior diameter of the body. From the front o'i thehead I the head` are concentric with the pivot g and with the -v "Gl projects a small pivot g and the top and bottom of cylindrical body.

In the front wall of the inner frame C above the breech-end of the barrel a small'hole c provides a seat for the pivot g and in the forward position of the'hreechbolt the pivot g sealed in the hole c centers and supports the front end of the breech-bolt'and allows it to rotate on the pivot g. v

On the top and on the bottom of the breech-bolt-head are longitudinal ribs g3, g3, which fitting into corresponding grooves c2 in the bottom of the receiver and a2 in the under side of the cover A1, serve to guide the breech-bolt-head in its reciprocating and rotary movements in the receiver, Fig. 5.

A semi-cylindrical recess in the rear wall ofthe inner frame and a simliar recess in the under side of the corresponding part of the cover form a bearing for the body oi the breech-bolt which may freely move longitudinally and .rotate therein, Fig. 6.

The breech-bolt G is bored out to receive the bolttube H which entering from the rear extends through the entire length of the body and ashort distance into* the head of the breech-bolt. The bolt-tube H moves v rear-and forward with the breech-bolt, but has a limscenes vent rotation of the bolt-tube while the studs are in the grooves. By this-construction the independent longitudinal movement of the bolt-tube H' in the breechbolt G produces, by the action oi the studs in the spiral grooves, a partial rotation of the breech-bolt.

The projecting rear portion of the bolt-tube `is larger in diameter than that contained in the breech-bolt and has two straight longitudinalgrooves h1, h1, opposite to each other in the top and bottom, these grooves are of greater depth in rear than in iront, `theirbottorns inclining outward and forward, and at the front end of each groove is a hole h2, h2, in diameter equal to the width of the grooves, but deeper than any part of the grooves; Figs. l and 10. From each of the holes h2, h2, a left-handed spiral groove h3 extends rearward and upward, connecting each hole with the opposite straight groove into the deeper rearend of which'the spiral groove leads. The forward end of each spiral groove'v h3 is of less depth than is the hole h2 where it starts, and

the` rear' end of each spiral groove is of less depth than.

itsiforward end, the bottoms ofthe spiral grooves Ih?, h3; inclining outward and rearward, so that a shoulder is formed bythe deeper straight groove at the place where the spiral groove ends therein; and similarly a shoulder is formed where the shallow forward part .of each straight groove ends in a hole of much greater depth, Fig. 10.

In rear of the bolt-tube the rear-plate I has a recess into which the `bolt-tube projects during the last oi its recoil, Eigs. 2 & 3.

In'the top of the rear-plate I a small piston i is fittedin a vertical seat, being held therein by a transverse pin and a shoulder on the iiattened rear side o the piston, a spiral spring mounted'on its reduced upper eind presses the piston i downward. The reduced lower end of the piston i forms the cam-pin whichprojects Ainto the path of the bolt-tube, and `during the last oi the rearward movement o the bolt-tube the cam-pin 'i enters into the straight groove h1 in the top of the bolt-tube. The cam-pin i being ixed in every other direction but held yieldingly in vertical direction, enters into the grooves h1 and h3 to their full depth, but yields outward when passing over the inclined bottom throughvv the shallower parts of the grooves. `By the action of the cam-pin in the straight grooves, the bolt-tube during the last o its rearward movement is held against rotation, but during the rst ci ea'ch forward movement the campin i is forced, by the shoulder in rear of it, to enter into los the spiral groove h3, and the bolt-tube is thereby turned l through halt arotation on its axis from the right to the .left side.

The inside of the bolt-tube H, open at the rear, vprovides a seat for the breech-block-re-action-spring J, which rests in front against the closed end of the bolttube and in rear against a collar jl supported by the rear-plate. Compressed by' the recoil of the breechbolt and bolt-tube the spring J exerts its tension to return the bolt-tube and breech-bolt to their forward., closed position. To guide the spring I and to keep it straight a rod j is provided which extends through the spring from the rear-plate I forward into the bolt-tube, and on the rear end of the rod j the collar j1 is fixed, so that the rearward pressure of the spring against the collar holds the rod j in. its bearing in the 'rear-plated.

To clearly show the rod j a central portion ofthe spring J is represented in Fig. l as being broken away, and in Figs. l dr 3 a portion of the lower spring F is similarly. broken away, and in Fig. 2 the rear end of the spring r is represented as broken away to expose to view the location of the pin s in the rear-plate of the casing.

The inner frame C and the barrel B are concentrically seated in the outer frame or casing A, but the seat for the breech-block is partly in the inner frame and partly in the cover Al of the casing, Figs. 5 & G, and the axis of the breech-block in its seat lies in a horizontal plane parallel to and considerably above that in which the axis of the barrel lies, as is indicated by the position in the receiver above the barrel of the seat c for the central pivot g on the face of the breech-bolt, Figs. 9 & l1. This arrangement bringsthe lower part of the head Grl of the breech-bolt into line with the bore of the barrel, and when the breech-block is in the forward position the lower part of the head Gr1 closes the chamber of the barrel and supports the cartridge therein, while the upper part of the head Gr1 projects above jthe barrel and inner frame and stands in rear of the topmost cartridge in the feed-belt on the feed-wheel D. The heads of both cartridges, of that on the feed-wheel and or" that in the chamber of the barrel, extend rearward into the receiver suiciently to expose the annular groove in the cartridge-case beyond the end of the barrel; the front wall of the feed-channel D1 in the casing guiding the upper cartridge, while the chamber in the barrel holds the lower one in that position. The head Gl of the breechbolt has on its face the central boss g2 which occupies the space between the projecting heads of the two cartridges, and the parti-circular ribs g5 on the outer edges of its face lls the spaces outside of the cartridge-heads and Ybetween these and the cover A1 at the top and the inner frame atthe bottom. The upper and lower edges ofthe central boss g2 and the opposite inner edges of the ribs g5, g5, are undercut, and between the boss and the ribs are formedon the face of the breech-bolt-head G1 an upper and a lower section of a circular T-shaped channel or flange-way, concentric to the axis of the breech-bolt; the heads of the cartridges fit into the wider rear part of this channel, and the overhanging edges at the front oi the channel are adapted to enter the annular grooves in the cartridge-cases and thus to grasp the heads of the cartridges.

During the movements of the breech-bolt in the in'- ner frame whilel opening and closing the breech, the cross-head G1v is erect, but not quite vertical, the rib g3 on its top being guided in the groove a2 in the cover A1 at the right side of the vertical center-line, and the lower rib g3 in the groove c2 in the receiver on the left' side of the center-line, Fig. 5. When the breech-bolt has been moved 4fully forward the cross-head Grl is pressed against the rear of' the barrel under the forward pressure of the reaction-spring .T in the bolt-tube, transmitted to the breech-bolt by the studs h, h, on lthe bolt-tube, which during' the forward movement stand near the rear end of the spiral grooves g1, g1, in the breech-bolt-body, Fig. 3, and above and below this are guided and held against rotation in the straight grooves in the cover A and in the inner frame C, Fig. 6. The

cross-head G1, which untiLthen also was prevented from turning by being guided in the straight grooves ag and c2, now finds in rear of the barrel in the receiver the recess cI at the right of its lower arm, and, under l the continued forward pressure of the spring J, the

breech-bolt is rotated, the lower arm of its head is turned to the right into the recess c, by the action of the studs h, h, in thespiral grooves g1, g1, the studs moving to the iront ends of the grooves as they turn the breecl1-bolt, Figs. 1 da 5. In rear of the recess c1 the receiver C has an inward projection c3, Figs. 5 i 9, which forms a strong` abutment against which the lower arm of the breech-bolt-head rests when in the recess c, and this abutment securely locks the head of the breech-bolt against rearward movement and rigidly supports it and confines the cartridge in the chamber of the barrel.

The support of the locked breech-bolt-head by the abutment c3 while on one side only, is so closely inYY rear of and so nearly in line with the base of the cartridge that it alone `would be strong enough to safely withstand any stress liable to be brought upon it by the firing of even excessive charges in the chamber of the barrel, but to further insure the absolute safety of the gun a support of the breech-bolt on the left side 'also has been provided. The breech-bolt-head has on each side a lateral projection g4, the diameter of the outer edges of which is equal to .the diameter of the cylindrical body of the breech-bolt and in the' leftside of the receiver, in rear of the barrel, is a corresponding recess c:4 and an abutment in rear of it. The partial rotation of the breech-bolt by which the lower arm of its cross-head G1. is turned into the recess c1, turns the lateral projection g4 on'the left side of the head from above downward into the recess c", so that the head of the breech-bolt is locked and supported in both sides of the receiver. l

In rear of the abutment c3 is a passage ce in the right side ofthe receiver, Figs. 3, 3, 5, 5, & 9, which leads laterally and upward, the forward portion passing under an overhanging projection c'l to the top of the right side wall of the inner frame which at this place is cut down in height and, when the inner frame is in its normal position in the casing, corresponds with the lower edge of the opening a7 in the casing through Awhich the cartridge cases are ejected from the gun. In Fig. 5l the passage c6 and the opening a7 are clearly shown, and several cartridge-cases are represented in dotted lines to indicate the path of their ejection.

To prevent the cartridge held in the grasp of the head o i 'the breech-bolt from being displaced by the rapid rotation of the breech-bolt, and to assist in holding the cartridge in the ,position for being thrust into the barrel, two small pistons 96, g", may be set into the head of the breech-bolt to have a limited movement therein and to be yildingly held forward by small spiral springs placed in rear of said pistons. The ends of the pistons project slightly from the face of the breech-bolthead and press against the cartridge in its grasp. In Fig. 11 the front ends of the pistons are indicated, and Fig. 11u shows the pistons g, g,

and the springs as arranged in the breech-bolt-head.

In Fig. 5 the head of the breech-bolt is represented as locked in the forward firing position, with the lower arm turned to the right into the recess cl in iront of the abutment c3 and the lateral projection g'* turned into the recess c4. i

The partiallrotation of the breech-bolt on its axis turns the top of the cross-head Gl to thc left and causesroo side heing in the hinge-tube of the cover A1, the recess the locking-pin a4. that either their lower ends project into the cylinder R,

when their upper ends are flush with the tops of their seats, or the upper ends of the pins project into'the hinge and into the button a5 respectively, when their lower ends clear the cylinder R.

When the cylinder R is pressed'forward, the recesses therein move away from underneath the pins s, s, and these are locked in the raised position, in which the top of the pin in the left side stands in the recess in the button a5 and positively locks it against being turned, until the cylinderA R is returned to its normal position, and the recess therein allows the pin to yield to the movement of the button a5. By raising the cover .Al the right-hand pin is forced down into the cylinder R and locks it, until the recess in the hinge is returned to the top of the right pin by the closing of the cover, and the recess in the button to the top of the left pin by the locking of the cover.

v On the under side of the casing A a slidinghandle T is provided, a loop t extends upward from the handle through a longitudinal slot in the bottom ofthe casing to the lug C1 on the inner frame, the loop t being hung upon a boss projecting from the front of lthe lug C1;

Aso

from the handle T a flat r'od t1 extends rearward into a corresponding opening in the base of the loop a1 of the casing, the rod t1 covers the slot in the bottom ofthe casing and serves to hold in place and .to guide the handle T. By drawing the handle T rearward the inner frame, barrel andthe breech-block may be brought to their rearmost position, and, vwhen the handle is released, the return movement of the inner frame, by the reaction-spring F, also carries the handle forward.

f The automatic recoil of the in ner frame does not affect the handle T, the opening in the loop t being large enough to allow .the head e -on the rod E, which normally stands in front of the loop t, to partly enter into it when the last of the recoil carries the rod E a short distance rearward, and at the end of the forward movement the head e and the rod E are returned forward by the boss on the lug C1 re'e'ntering into the loop t. By this arrangement the hand of the operator is protected against receiving the shock of recoil,v even if it grasps the handle during the automatic operation of the gun.

From the foregoing description in detailv of the construction of the several parts of the improved lgun and 'their operations, theoperation of the mechanism of thel gun as a whole will be readily understood. Cartridges are supplied to the gun by passing the end of a loaded feed-belt from the left `to the right side through the feed-channelD, the first Vcartridges in the feedbelt finding their seats inthe grooves of the feedwheel D. By then drawing rearward the handle lT aghe inner frame, barrel and the breech-block firmlyv mterlocked, and the rod E are carried to their rearrnost position, vin which the bolt-latch takes its hold upon the bolt-tube, and both the re-action-springs F and .l are compressed, the parts being changed from the positions shown in Fig. 1- to those shown in Fig. 2, eX-

cepting that there isas yet no cartridge 'in the grasp of the breech-bolt in the receiver. The hammer L also is carried to its rearmost position by the lower firing-- ,breech-bolt and bolt-tube as a whole will be moved being kept away from the hammer by the loworstud h of`the bolt-tube which remains in the same relative position in which it removes the scar from the path of the hammer. By the rearward movement of the barrel ,the feed-wheel is rotated and carries the fefedbelt and the cartridges therein a part of a step into the feed-channel. On releasing the handle T A,the barrel and the inner frame are at once returned to their forward position by the reaction-spring F, the feed-wheel, being `thereby rotated, carries the cartridges forward in the feed-channel to complete one step. The breechbolt remaining interlocked with the barrel in the inner frame, the forward movement of the inner frame draws the breech-bolt forward, the bolt-tube, however, is firmly fixed iriits rearmost position by the bolt-latch 8() P which, as specified, cannot be depressed to release the bolt-tube even by the `operation of the button R while the-rod E remains at the rear, the forward movement of the breech-bolt, while the bolt-tube remains fixed, causes the breech-bolt to draw away from the bolttube, retracts the firing-pins and, by the action of the -spiral grooves Vof the `breech-bolt on the studs of the bolt-tube, partially rotates the breech-bolt and, turning its head in the inner frame, unlocks the breechbolt from the barrel and inner frame, which thus lreleased move forward and open the brech. The parts change from the positions shown in Fig. 2 .to those shown in Fig. 3, and the studs h, h, `of the bolt-tube are changed to theposition near the rear end of the spiral grooves in the breech-bolt. The straight groove in the cover by which the head of the breech-bolt is guided, is at the proper yplace intersect'ed by a spiral groove which allows the partial rotation. By the Yforward movement ane partial rotation of the breech-bolt, which unlocks it and releases the inner frame, the shoulder of the firing-pin is laterally Withdrawn from in front of the hammer, but a shoulder lx provided on the rear end of the hammer-tube stands in rear of the lower stud h, which thus keeps the hammer in its rearmost position. After thebarrel, the inner frame, the handle T and the rod E have returned to their forward v position, pressure upon the button R in the rear-plate will depress the bolt-latch and release the bolt-tube, and under the vtension of the reaction-spring I, the

forward. y During the first of their forward movement, by the action of the cam-pin and the top of the boltlatch in the spiral grooves of the bolt-tube, the entire breech-block, breech-bolt and bolt-tube together, will be turned one-half of a revolution on its axis, from the .right to the left sid-e, the guide-grooves in the receiver and in the cover for the breech-bolt-head having cor- Y#responding spiral portions for the passage through them of the ends `of the breech-bolt-head, and a similar spiral portion of the groove in rear in the cover allowing the studs h, `h, of the bolt-tube to interchange positions. This semi-rotation of the bolt-tube withdraws the lower studfrom in front of the shoulder l1 on the rear end of the hammer and the hammer is movedforward by the main-spring until arrested in the full-cock position by the sear in the inner frame which enters the' cock-notch. After interchanging bythe semi-rotation the upper and lower parts, the breech-blockla's a whole continues its forward movement in the straight guidegrooves', until the breech-bolt-head is brought up tube; but 'prefer to provide-the upper cam-pin and thus'ito utilize both the opposite sets of straight and spiral grooyes'for holding and 4for rotating the breechblock.

The breech-bolt is longitudinally interlocked with the holt-tube by the studsh, h, in the spiral grooves g1, g, and 'also by the iiringpins which are locked to the breech-bolt by the crosspin and to the holt-tube by their in the annular recess therein, and, there`- fore, the raised bolt-latch. P prevents the breech-bolt as well as the bolt-tube from being returned forward, and keeps the re-action-spring J fully compressed in the bolt-tube.

The lower part of the bolt-latch P is bifurcated and a vertical slot in the'reanplate, below and in rear of the bolt-latch P, provides a seat forthe bell-crank lever p pivotally mounted therein, the upper arm of the lever extends into a recess in the bolt-latch P while the lower lever-arm depends into an inclining hole cut through the rear-plate I. In this hole the cylinder R is seated, the checked end of which projects in rear in form of a push-button from the rearplate in a convenient position to be operated by the thumb of the hand grasping the grip at the lbottom of the rear-plate. In a recess in the upper side of the cylinder R the spiral=spring r is fitted, to rest in front against the depending larm of the lever p, and in rear against the end of th'e recess in the cylinder R, so that the tension of the spring r isexerted through the lever p to yieldingly hold the belt-latch P in its raised position, and also to yieldingly keep the cylinder R in its rearmost position. The recess in the top of the cylinder R allows `the cylinder t0 move forward without coming into contact with the lever p.

Between the cylinder R and the bolt-latch' P an intermediate slide Q is provided in the vertical slot \in,the` rear-plate, the straight top of the slide Q is Tshaped in cross-section, havinga rib on ea'ch side, in the lower forward part of the cyl-indei` R is a correspondinglyT-shaped seat intowhich the slide Q is fitted. While the cylinder R is held and guided in the rear-plate with its axis inclining downward and forward, the T-shaped seat'stherein is horizontal, parallel to the axis of the gun, and guides the slide Q with its top parallel thereto. Forward of the cylinder R the slide Q extends through the bifurcated lower part of the bolt-latch P, through the vertical slot in which it passes, the'upperpart of the slot in the boltlatch P is increased in width, the sides of the slot`are recessed to forma T-shaped openin into which the slide Q fits, Figs. 1, 3 & 7. The ris on the slide Q do not extend to the front of the slide, but terminate in the bolt-latch P, the forward ends of the ribs incline downward and rearward. Between the top of the T- shaped slot in the bolt-latch P and the top of the slide Q there is a considerable clearance, the shoulders at the bottom of the recesses in the sides of the slot in the bolt-latch P are inclined downward and rearward parallel to the ends of the ribs on the slide Q. In the normal position of these parts, Figs. l & 3, the inclined ends of the ribs of the slide Q rest upon the inclined bottoms of the recesses in the bolt-latch P, and ifthe v be moved forward by the spring J. On releasing the cylinder R the spring 1' returns it to the rear and through the lever p raises the bolt-latch P into the path of the bolt-tube. i

On its lower side the slide Q has a projection q which depends into avertical recess in the rod E in the bottom of the casing, the projection q fills the recess longitudinally, but it is free to move vertically therein. When th'e rod E is moved to the forward position by the lug C1 on the inner frame, the slide Q is carried forward by the rod -until the inclined front ends oi thevribs thereonrest against the inclined bottoms of the recess in the bolt-latch P, Figs. l dt 3, in whicl'position forward pressure upon the cylinder R will cause the resulting downward movement oflthe slide Q to be communicated. to the bolt-latch P. and to withdraw it out of the bolt-tube, thereby releasing the breech-block for forward movement. When however, by the recoil of the breech-block, inner frame and barrel, the lug C1 has carried the rod E rearward, Fig. 2, the rod calries the slide Q to the rear and the ribs thereon are brought so far to the rear that', when the slide Q is'moved downward by forward pressure upon the cylinder R, the ribs do notc'ome into Contact with the bolt-latch P and do not draw it out of the bolt-tube; solthat vunless the bar rel and inner frame are in their normal forward position the breech-block cannot be released-by pressure upon the cylinder R. Moreover,'if the cylinder R is kept continuously pressed forward and 4 the slide Q is kept thereby in its lower position, the bolt-latchl P is not drawn down but retains the breech-block as long as the rod E and the slide Q are in the rearward position," v

but when the last of the return movement of .thebarrel and inner frame to their forward position, under the` pressure of the re-action-spring F, carriesthe rod E-orward, the slide Q is carried forward by themed and the ribs thereon are moved forward against the in the bolt-latch and draw down the bolt-latch. The return of the barrel and inner frame to their normal'po- 'Asition thus automatically releases 'the -breechfbleck and controls the closing of the breech, whenever continuous pressure is exerted upon the cylinder' Fig. 8 illustrates the parts of a safety-deviceA by which the cover of the casing is keptlocked sathat it' cannot be released and. opened -while the button fR is pressed forward; andkby which the act of releasing and of opening the cover locks the button Rand keeps it locked while the cover of the casing remains open. Through the rear-plate, adjacent to its rear face, two diagonal holes are bored which'cross the seat of the cy1` in'der R at substantially right-angles to eachother and at 45 degrees to the vertical plane through' the axis of the gun. In ,the upper part of eachholea s is loosely seated, the upper end of eachpin isA slightly reduced in diameter and the holes are correspondingly shouldered, so that after the pins are introducedA from ros below into their seats and the cylinder R is placed in the rear-plate, the pins arefree to move in their seats but cannot escapeA therefrom. The cylinder R has two slight recesses in its surface which correspond with the seats of the pins when the cylinder R is 'in the noral rearward position, and similar recesses correspond with the upper ends of the seats, the recess on the right the upper section of the-ilange-way on its face to slide over the rear endof the top-most cartridge in the feedr belt on the feed-wheel, and the overhanging edges of the tridge in position to be grasped.

The head of the breech-bolt is providedlwith two firing-pins K, K, one in each of its arms, and so situated that only when the breech-bolt is turned and locked in the firing position are the firing-pins brought into the vertical plane through the axis of the barrel, and the lowerfiringspin is brought `into li'ue with the cartridge in the chamber of the barrel; in all other positions of the breech-holmes the `lower arm of the head in being unlocked is turned'to the left side in the receiver, the firing-pin therein is carried laterally out of line with the cartridgein the barrel, thus positively preventing premature iring of the gun. y

The firing-pins K, K, extend through the head ofthe breech-bolt and are held therein for a limited longitudinal movement by a cross-pin 1:, which running diagonally through the head G1 from the top to the bottom, partially cutsV through the seat of both ring-pins' these are correspondingly flattened, and the'cross-plinI passing between the resulting shoulders on the ringpins, locks them in their seats,- in the head of the brce'ch-bolt.'-1n Figs, 1 and 2 the shoulderson thelower firing-pin are exposed to View anda central por-V tion ofthe diagonal cross-pin k is shown in section;

In rear of the head Grl each firing-pin has an' external shoulder c1 and a rearward extension which is seated in `a slot inthe body of the breech-bolt and a tail of which v projects inward i'nto`the bolt-tube, an annular recess in th'e bolt-tube near its iront end being provided io'r the tails of the firing-pins, Figs. 1,2 & 12. When the boltl tube `is in its forward position in the breech-bolt, the

shoulders formed by the annular recess are not in Contact with the firing-pins and these are free to be moved forward; but when the bolt-tube is moved rearward' in vthe i breech-bolt, the shoulder at the forward end of the annular recess in the bolt-tube is brought against the tails of the firing-pins andthese are retracted, `and their` points withdrawn into the head Grl of the breech-bolt.

Below the breech-bolt the hammer or striker vL is are, ranged, the solid head at 'its iront end resting in the groove c5 in the bottom of the inner frame in which the lower stud h ofthe bolt-tube is guided during the last of the forward movement, thegroove being deepened and extended forward to allow the .hammer to move therein without interfering with the stud h above it, Figs. 6 da 12. From the head rearward the hammer forms a tube 1 in which the spiral main-spring M is 'seated 'on a guide' rod N, the rear end of which is supported in the rearplate I of the casing, Fig. 12. Onthe right side of the hammer the sear O is pivoted on a vertical pin o in the inner frame and a spring ol presses the sharp inner rear corner ofthe sear into the Acock-notch inthe side of the hammer-tube l in rear of the head of the hammer. 'When the locked breech-bolt moves rearward the projecting shoulder k of the lower firing-pin being in line with the hammer moves it rearward and compresses the main-spring M. During the return or forward movement ofthe breech-.bolt and bolt-tube the hammer is retained in rr bythe sear engaging the cock-notch,

@eases until the last of the forward movement of the bolt-'tube turns and locks the breech-bolt and carries the lower stud lh to the side of the sear O. The lower end of the stud h clears the hammer-tube, but the top of the scar projects .above the hammer-tube and the rear corner of the sear turned inward into the cock-notch stands in the movement, engages this corner of the sear and turns the .sear on its pivot out of the cock-notch, thereby releasing the hammer, which under the tension of the mainspring is thrown forward against the shoulder of the lower firing-pin. I Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of the casing, inner frame and breech-bolt in the plan-e through th'e' axis of the studs h, h, oi the bolt-tube on the line 15-15 of Fig. 6, showing a section of the hammer and an elevation of the bolt-tube, Eig 13 is a part-section of the inner frame, representing a top-view of the forward part of the hammer and oi the sear, and a section of the stud h.A yIn Fig. 14 a front end-view of the hammer, sear and stud h A is shown. In each of these three figures the hammer, sear and'stud are represented in the position they have Ywhen the stud h has turned the sear out of the cocknotch and released the hammer, but before the hammer has been thrown forward.

bolt-latch P is arranged, it consists oa cylindrical piston fitted for a limited 'movement in a verticalseat below the recess in the rear-plate occupied by the end of the bolt-tube-in its rearmost position. The axis of thelretainer P in its seat coincides with that of the piston and Cam-pin i above the recess, and the upper end of the retainer P is reduced to a diameter equal to that of the cam-pin t', a small bell-crank lever p, pivoted in rear of the retainer yielding'ly raises it into the recess. `As the two sets of Istraight and spiral grooves in the bolt-tube are on opposite sides thereof, the end of the retainer P, enters and operates in the lower'grooves at the same time and with 4the same result as does the cam-pin 'i in the upper grooves; -the semi-rotation of the bolt-tube during the first yof vits forward movement interchanges the opposite grooves so as to be alternately engaged by the cam-pin 1I and the retainer P. While the retainer P thus operates in the grooves as an opposite `duplicate of the cam-prin i, it also performs anotherimportant independent func tion. The reduced top of the retainer Pis longer than the cam-pin t, a bevel on its front side allowing it to enter the lower groove in the bolt-tube, and while the cam-pin lcannot project into the bolt-tube beyond the depth of the grooves hl and' h3, the longer top lower straight groove h1 in the bolt-tube, and, projecting into it beyond the depth of the spiral groove h3, the retainer P locks the bolt-tubo against longitudinal and rotary movements, and retains the bolttainer orbolt-latch P when fully raised operates to hold 'the bolt-tube retracted, and when drawn' down it engages the grooves in the bolt-tube -and operates in them as a duplicate cam-pin; in fact, the upper cam-pin 'i may be entirely dispensed with, and thc bolt latch P alone may be depended on to perform the function of the cam-pin in the grooves of the bolt- In the'rear-plate I of the casing A the retainer or path of the stud h, which, in the last of its forward I of the.retainer, at thev end of the rearward movement of the bolt-tube, enters the hole h2 in front of the tube in its rearmost position, Figs. 2, 3 & 7.r "lhe reagainst the barrel, when, by the last oi the forward movement of the bolt-tube, the head of the breech-bolt is turned into the locking recesses in `the receiver and securely locked tftile barrel, by the action of the studs in the spiral grooves-of the breech-bolt. Theilocking movement causes the breech-bolt-head to grasp the topmost cartridge on the feed-wheel, and finally releases the hammer from the sear. On drawing the handle T once more to the rear, the parts are again retracted, but now the head of the breech-bolt having grasped the topmost cartridge on the feed-wheel, on moving rearward draws this cartridge out of the feed-belt into the receiver, Fig. 2. After completing'the rearward movement, the barrel and inner frame are at on'cel returned .f forwardgthe breech-bolt being partially rotated and` unlocked during the rstoi their return movement-is retained until releasedby the operation of the button R. The released breech-block moves forward and', being turned through a semi-rotation, the upper part of the breech-bolt-head-is" carried down, the cartridge in its grasp is thereby brought into 'line with the chamber of Jthe barrel, and by the completed forward movement of the breech-bolt is`thrust into the chamber and confined therein by the locking oi the-'breech-bolt in the inner frame. The last of the'locking movement; of the breech-bolt automatically releases the hammer which striking against the firing-pin explodes the cartridge in the barrel. The pressure ofthe powder-gases generated bythe explosion causes the breech-block, inner frame and barrel to recoil, and automatically performs the same operationswhich were before manually performed, with the addition that the lower part of the breech-bolt-head now extracts the empty cartridge-case from the chamber of the barrel, whileI the upper part draws the next cartridge from the feed-A belt into the receiver. 0n bthe forward movement of the breech-block, after the return forward of the barrel and inner frame, the rapid semi-rotation of the breechblock by which the cartridge is carried into line with the barrel, carries the empty cartridge-case laterally to the right and upward under the overhanging projection c7 into the passage ccin rear of the abutment in the receiver and through it into the exit in the right side of the casing, and ejects it from the gun. The overhanging projection c7 standing radially inside of the path of the cartridge-case in which the same is carried upward and forward by the semi-rotation and forward movement of the breech-bolt, it insures the entrance of the forward end ofthe cartridge-case into the passage c6; and the lateral projections g4, g, on the breechbolt-head extending in frontv as well as radially into the path of the cartridge-head in the flange-way on thc face of the breech-bolt, one of these projections alterriately imparts to the head of the cartridge-case a iinal, rapid upward impulse which carries the case upward into the passage cB and causes it to impinge against the closed top of the passage, by which the cartridge-case is reflected and ejected through the exit a7 in the casi ng. Those operations are repeated so long as cartridges are supplied to the gun, and by retaining the button R in its forward position a number of shots are fired in rapid succession, whilesinglc shots will be fired if the button is pressed forward and at once released.

The hammer being automatically released by the last of thc locking movement oi the breech-block, the

gun does not require a trigger, in the generally accepted sense of this term, but the button ,R positively controls the firing of the gun. v

When by continued firing the barrelV has become heated and the firing is at will interrupted by the release of the buttonrR, the breech of the gun remains fully open, in the most favorable position for the cooling of the barrel, and the cartridge in the receiver is held in a position out pf line with the barrel and so faiin rear of it that its charge cannot be ignited by heat transmitted to it, making unintentional firing impossible. By pressing upon the button-R the operations and firing of the gun may be at once recommenced.

It is evident that in carrying out the invention some changesrom the construction herein described and shown may be made, and also that one or more of the several features of the improvements as described herein may be embodied in other forms of lfire-arms so far as applicable. I, therefore, do not limit myself to the exact construction shown and described, but

hold myself at liberty to make such departures'therefrom as fairly' fall within the spirit and scope of my inventioni Having fully described my invention what` I 'claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of the 'casing having longitudinal upper and lower guide-grooves, the barrel and its receiver having a guide-lug which enters the lower-groove .in th'e casing and a guide-groove oppositerto the upper guidegroove in tlie casing, and the breech-bolt adapted tb slide ln the said receiver and having a cross-head projecting upward into the upper guide-groove in the casing -anddownward into the guide-groove in the receiver, by which the receiver and the breech-bolt are both kept in and guided by the grooves in the easing and mutually support euch other. 4

2. In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the barrel and -its receiver' and means for movingthe same lengthwise through the casing, a cartridge-feeding device for moving cartridges transversely into line with and above the barrel, the breech-Iolt arranged for reciprocating,r :ind rotary movements in the receiver andhaving a cross-head projecting upward above the barrel and the receiver, and downward to the rear oflthe barrel, and adapted to grasp the cartridge in the feeding device and the cartridge in the barrel, 'connections whereby the movements of the barrel operate .the cartridge-feeding device`- means for unlocking. the breech-bolt from the barrel and receiver, for retaining it during their forward movement and for releasing the breech-bolt on their return forward, und means for returning the breech-bolt forward, and during its forward movement to turn the breech-bolt through a semi-rotation, and after its return forward to lock the breech-bolt to the barrel by a partial rotation, substantially as and for the purpzse specified.

3. In a breech-loading gun, a breech-bolt having a transversely projecting crass-head, provided with a living-pin in each of the arms thereof, and a bolt-tube movably mounted in said breech-bolt.

4. ln a breech-loading gun, a breech-holt having a transversely projecting cross-head, and provided on the face thereof with opposite sections of a firing-@way adapted to grasp the heads of cartridges, and a bolt-tubemovably mounted in said breech-boit In :i breech-loading gun, a breech-bolt having a transversely projecting cross-head carrying a firing-pin in each of the arms thereof and provided on its face with opposite sections of-a flange-way adapted to grasp and to hold cartridges, and a holt-tube niovahly mounted in said breechholt.

(l. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of the breech-bolt having n transversely projecting cross-head und cari-,ving a firing-pin locked for n limited movement in ouch of the arms tlul'onf,nml Hm bull-tubo luovubly mounted in the said breech-bolt and having an annular shoulder,l the said tiring-pins constructed4 with inward-'projections in rear of' the said shoulder, whereby the breech-bolt and the bolt-tube are intel-locked, and therlng-pins are retracted by the relatively rearward movement of the bolt-tube, snbstantially as described.

7. In a breech-loading fire-arm, the combination di' fthe casing, the barrel 'and thejreceiver, and the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting cross-head carrying n firing-piu in each of `the arms thereof, and provided on its face with opposite Elections oil anfannullar'ange-way, the casing and the receiver constructed for holding and guiding the breech-bolt for'y reciprocating und rotaryimovments, with the axis'ot lthe breech-bolt eccentric to that oi the barre1whereby-the axis of either of `,the said firing- `pins may be alined with the axis of the barrel, and one of the sections of the flange-Way-will'be moved to grasp the cartridge in the barrel by a' partial rotation of the breechnon. f

, 8. 4In 'a macliine-gnn,`the combination of the casing, the barrel and Nthe receiver, a cartridge-feeder or magazine holding a cartridge above and parallel-with the barrel, and the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting crosshead carrying-v a ring-pin in each of the arms thereof and provided on its face with opposite sections lof'an'annular Harige-way, the casing andthe receiver for holding und guiding the breech-bolt for reciprocating and rotary movements, with thc axis of thebreech-bolt eccentric to that. of the barrel. whereby .the axis of either of the said firingpins may be nlined withthe xisvof the'jbarrel, and the said sections of the flangeway will be moved to grasp the cartridge in the said magazine and that in the barrel, by a partial rotation of thc breech-bolt.A Y

'9. ln a'breech-loading tire-arm, the combination of the casing, the barrel and its receiver, and the breech-boit arranged for reciprocating and rotary movements ln the receiver and having -a transverselyprojecting cross.-l x eail, l .guido-grooves in the casing and in the receiver fori? the opposite arms of the said cross-head, whereby the b reech-` bolt is adapted,'on being'move'd forward and rotated. to interchange the arms of said" cross-head relatively to the said grooves and to thc barrel'. i

' 10. In a breech-loading'fire-arm, the combination of they barrel "and its receiver andJthe breech-bolt arranged for reciprocating and rotary-'movements in the receive r and havingr a transversely projecting cross-head, a guide-groove in the 'receiver for nu arm of said cross-head, whereby the breech-bolt is adaptedon being,r moved,forvvard'andv rotated, to interchange the arms'ot the cross-head relatively to their posi-tion tothe barrel. l

A'11. Inra breech-loading gun,v the Acombination of thc casing, ythe 'barrel and its receiver and the breech-bolt arranged for reciprocating and'ro'tary r'novements in the receivcr, and h aving a tratsversely projecting cross-head, guide-groovcs'fin .thev casing and in the receiver for the arms of the said Across-head,.and ani; abutment in the receiver, whereby thebreccli-bolt is adapted on having forward and vrotary movement imparted to it, to interchange the arms oi the Isaid cross-head relatively to the barrel, and, ai thc end ot the forward movement, to be locked to the barrel by the turning of the arm in the receiver in front of the said abutment.

l2A ln :i breech-loading fire-arm, the combination of the casing', the barrel and its receiver and the. breech-bolt arranged for reciprocating and rotary movements in the receiver and having a transversely projecting cross-head carrying lateral projections and a central pivot, guidegrooves in the casing and in the receiver for the arms of thc snid cross-head, a pivot-scat above the barrel and abutnicnts in rear of it in the receiver, whereby the breech-bolt is adapted, on Ahaving.T forward and rotary movement imparted 'to it, to interchange the arms of the said crosshead relatively to the barrel, and at the end of the forward movement to be locked to the barrel by the pivot entering thc said seat and by the lower arm of the-cross. hond and a lateral projection thereon being turned ln front ol'f thc said abutmcnts on lboth sides of the receiver.

13. In a machine-gun, the combination ot the casing, the barrel and its receiver, andincans lor moving.: the bnrrcl and receiver lengthwise through the casing, the breechbolt arranged for reciprocating and.' rotary movements in the receiver and provided with a transversely7 projecting` `cross-head and with cam-grooves, the bolt-tube in `thc breech-bolt and extending therefrom, studs on the bolttube projectingl through the said cam-grooves, and opposite straight and spiral grooves in the said `bolt-tube, guidegro'oves in the casing and in the receiver for the arms of the said cross-head and for the studs of th bolt-tube, and

an abutment in the receiver, a spring-pressed cam-pin:` und bolt-latch held in the casing in the path rof the bolttube, a springfor moving the bolt-tube.for\vard anda controller for releasing-,the said bolt-latch from the bolttnbe, whereby` during the ,rearward movement of the barrel and receiver the breech-bolt remains locked thereto,"on thelrA forward movement the breech-bolt is,unlocked andy retained to open the breech, and on their returnjorward the breech-bolt is released and returned forward, during i its forward movement'the-arms of'thecross-head are interchangedn'elativelyto the barrel, and at the end'of its `forward movementthe breech-bolt is locked to the barrel by an arm of the cross-head being turned in front of the abutment 14. In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the barrel and the receiver, and means for moving1 the same lengthwise through the casing, the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting cross-head and the cam-grooves, and the bolt-tube having radial studs projecting through the vcam-grooves, guide-grooves in the casing and in the receiver for the ar'is of the cross-head and for the said studs, alockinglrecess in the receiver for an arm of the cross-head, and means for moving the said bolt-tube lengthwise 4in the receiver. a boit-latchy engaging `the bolt-tubev to hold it retracted, a h olt-latch-controller, and operating connections between the bolt-latchs and the receiver,' wherehyfwhen said controller is kept in operative position;1` theforward movement of vthe' re'ceive'r releases the boltlatch' substantially. as described.

.-ltQIn amachine-gun, `the combination of the` casing, the burreland the receiver and meansfor moving the "samelengthwise through the casing, the breech-bolt having thetransversely projecting cross-head and :.having theY cam-grooves, the,boltt ube having the radial=studs,-"p1'o'` jecting through lthe said cam-grooves and having the' opposite straight grooves and spiral grooves, guide-grooves in ,the casing and in the receiver tor the arms of the crosshead and for thesaid studs, thelocking-recess and the abutment in the receiver, and means for movingthe bolt-l tube lengthwise through the receiver, the `spring-pressed combined cam-pin and bolt-latch in the casing, the said bolt-latch'engagingthe bolt-tube to hold it retracted, a Abolt-la'rch-controller, and operating connections between the bolt-latch and the receiver, whereby, when said controller is kept in operative position, the forwardmovement of the receiver releases the bolt-latch and adapts the same to operate as a cam-pin in the grooves of the 'bolt-tbe, substantially as described. f

1G. ln a machine-gun, the combination of the casingVthe barrel and the .receiver and means for moving the same lengthwise through thc casing, the breech-bolt having theI transverselyprojecting cross-head and having the camgrooves and the firing-pin in each arm ot thecross-head,

,said studs, the locking-recess-in the receiver, and means .for moving the bolt-tube lengthwise throughthc rccciver,

the springpressed com bined boltlatch and cam pin in the casini,r to engage the saidboltftubeand hold it rctracted, und on the release of the bolt-latch to operate in thc grooves of the said bolt-tube, and means to release the bolt-latch whereby during the forward movement of the said breech-bolt and bolt-tube ,the arms of the said crosshead and the firing-pins therein are interchanged rolativcly to the barrel, and at the cud of the forward movemeut an arm of thc cross-head is turned into thelockingrecess in thc receiver and the firing-pin iny the said arm is alinod with the axis of the barrel, substantially as dcscribcd. i

l," In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the

through the said cam-grooves and having the opposite straight grooves and spiral grooves, and means for moving the bolt-tube through the receiver, guide-grooves in the casing and in the receiver for the arms 'of the cross-head and for the said studs, the locking-recess in the receiver, and means for moving the bolt-tube lengthwise through the receiver, thespring-pressedboltlatch and cam-pin in the casing and means to release the bolt-latch, the hammer and the main-spring mounted in the casing and in the re' ceiver in alinement with the axis of thebarrel, the springpressed sear pivoted in the receiver, whereby during the rearward movement of the bolt-tube and the breech-bolt the hammer is retracted, during the forward movement of the breech-bolt the arms of the cross-'head are interchanged, the hammer is kept retracted by the scar, and the firing-pin is kept out of alinement with the hammer, and at the end of the forward movement of the bolt-tube the breecl1-b01t is locked, the tiring-pin is carried into alinement with the hammer and the scar is operated to release the hammer,A substantially as described.

18. In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the barrel and the receiver, the brceclrbolt arranged forl reciprocating and rotary movements in the receiver, having a transversely projecting cross-head carrying a firing-pin in each of the arms thereof, and the cam-grooves in the breech-bolt, the bolt-tube having the radial studs projectine, through the saideam-grooves, guide-grooves in the caslng and in the receiver for the arms of the cross-head and for the said studs, and the locking-recess in the receiver, whereby forward movement imparted to the bolt-tube will move the breech-bolt forward and keep the firing-pin in the lower arm of the eross-head out ot alinement with the axis of the barrel, and the last of the forward movement of the bolt-tube will turn the said arm of the cross-head into the locking recess andvcarry the firing-pin therein into alinement with the axis of the barrel, substantially as delscribed. i

10. In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the barrel and the receiver, the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting cross-head carrying a firing-pin in each of the a'rms thereof, and the cam-grooves'in the brcechbolt, tie bolt-tube having the radial studs projecting through the said canrgrooves, and means for moving the bolt-tube lengthwise through the receiver, guide-grooves in the easing and in the receiver for the arms of the crossbead and for the said studs, and the locking recess in the receiver, the hammer and the main-spring mounted in the casing'and in' the receiver-,in alinement with the axis of the barrel, and the spring-pressed scar pivoted in the receiver, whereby, during the rearward movement of the bolt-tube and the breech-bolt the hamm-er is retracted, andduring the forward movement of the breech-bolt the hammer is kept retracted by the scar, and at the end of the forward movement of the bolt-tube the breech-bolt is locked,

the firing-pin is carried into alinement with the hammer bolt-tube to Vheld ita-enacted, the controller-button and the spring connected with it and with the bolt-latch and yieldingly holding the latch and the button in their normal positions, the intermediate slide carried and guided in the control-ler button and extending into the bolt latch, whereby the forward movement of the controller-button releases the bolt-latch, substantially as and for the purpose described.

21. ln a ma chine-gun, the combination of the casing, the

' barrel and the receiver. and means for moving the same lengthwise through the casing, the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting cross-head and the vcam-grooves,

and the bolt-tube having the radial studs projecting through the cam-grooves, gunde-grooves in the casing and in the receiver for the cross-head and for the said studs, the locking-recess in the receiver, and means for moving lthe bolttube lengthwise in the receiver, the lolt-latcl1 engaging tbe bolt-tube to hold it retracted, the controller-button and the spring connected with it and with the bolt-latch, the intermediate slide carried and guided in the controller-button and extending into the bolt-latch, and operating connections between the intermediate slide and thc receiver, whereby, when the controller-button ,is held in its forward, operative position, the forward movement of the receiver releases the bolt-latch and the rearward movement of the receiver reti-acts the intermediate slide to prevent the release of the bolt-latch, substantially as specified.

22. In a machine-gun, the combination of the easing, the barrel and the receiver, the handle for moving the same rearward, and the spring for moving the same forward in the casing, the shouldered rod in the casing and the lug on the receiver clasping the rod, the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting cross-head and the canrgroovcs,

and the bolt-tube having the radial studs projecting through the said cam-grooves, guide-grooves in the casing and in the receiver for the cross-head and for the said studs, the Iockingrecess in the receiver, and the spring for moving the bolt-tube forward in the receiver, the bolt-latch engaging the bolt-tube to hold it retracted, the controllerbutton and the spring connected with it and with the boltlatch, the intermediate slide carried and guided in the controllerbutton and extending into the bolt-latch and into the shouldered rod, whereby, when the controller-button is held ln its operative, forward position, the forward movement of the receiver releases the bolt-latch, and the rearward movement of the receiver retracts the intermediate slide and prevents the release of the bolt-latch, substantially as speciied.

23. VIn a macbincgun, the casing having the cover at- 24, In a breech-loading gun, the combination of the cas-Y 'ing having the movably attached cover carrying the rod and the turn-button for locking it in closed position, the barrel, the receiver` and rthe reciprocating breech-block, the bolt-latch for holding the breech-block retracted, and the thuinbpiece for releasing the boltdatch, the recesses in the cover, in the turn-button and in"the thumbpi ece, and the pins in the casing between the said recesses, whereby the operation of the thumb-piece keeps thecover locked. and the operation of theV turn-button locks the thumb-piece. and the opening of the cover ."keepsthe Ithumb-piece locked.

25. In a recoil-operated gun, the combination of the casing and the cover constructed to inclose the recoilngr members ot the breech-mechanism, means for locking and for releasing tbe said cover, springs for returning the recoiled melnbers of the breechanechanism forward in the casing, a latch for holding the breech-mechanism open and the controller for releasing the said latch, operating connections between the controller and the cover, whereby the unlocking and opening of the said cover locks and keeps locked the controller.- -against operation, and the operation of the controller'keeps the cover closed andl locked, substantially as described.

26. In a recoil-operated gun, the combination of the cuslng, the recoiling barrel and its receiver, breech-bolt and bolt-tube, the casing and the receiver constructed to form the seat for the breeelrbolt in its lengthwise and rotary` .bolt-tube retracted, the bolt-latch-controller, and operatlng connections between the bolt-latch and the receiver, whereby, when said controller -is kept in operative position, the forward movement of 4the barrel releases the bolt-latch, all substantially as described.

27. In recoil-operated gun, the combination of the casing having a longitudinal recess, the recoiling barrel and receiver, breech-bolt and bolt-tube, the receiver having a lug guided in the said'recess,l and the casing and the re-v ceiver constructed to form the seat for the breech-bolt in its lengthwise and rotary movements, the breech-bolt 'havingr the transversely projecting cross-head and tlieca'mgrooves, and the'bolt-tube having radial studs projectingI l through the cam-grooves) guide-grooves in the casing and `in the receiver for the arms ofthe cross-head and for the vsaid studs, a locking-recess in the receiver, a spring in the said recess vln the casing for moving thel barrel and a shouldered rod clasped by the said lug, ,a spring for movi'g the bolt-tube, the bolt-latch in the casing for holding.

bolt-tube retracted, the bolt-latch controller, and an intermediate slide between the bolt-latch and the said rod, whereby, when saidlcontroller is kept in operative position, thel forward movement of the receiver-releases the bolt-latch, substantially as specified.

28. In a recoil-operated gun, the combination of the casingfthe recoiling barrel and receiver, l reechboltand bolttube, a cartridge-feed in the casing operated by the movements of the barrel to hold a cartridge,l above and alined `with the barrel, the breech-bolt having theA transversely projectingcross-head and the cam-grooves, and provided on its -face with opposite sections of a iiange-way, the bolt-tube having the radial studs projecting through the said cam-grooves, and having the opposite straight grooves and spiral grooves, the guide-grooves in the casing, and in.

the receiver for the arms of the cross-head and for the said` studs, the locking-recess and` abutment, the overhanging rearward extension, the lateral passage in theireceiver and the exit in the casing, separate springs for moving thv'.` barrel and receiver and the boit-tube forward, the springpressed bolt-latch and cam-pin in the casing, and the controller for releasing the said bolt-latch, whereby the barrel and receiver after recoiling are returned forward, the bolt-tube is 'held` retracted, the breech-bolt is unlocked and retained, extracting the cartridge from the said carvthe bolt-tube are moved forward and rotated, alinng ,cartridge-case through the exit, and at the end of casing, the recoiling barrel and receiver, breech-holt cartridge with the bore of tlievbarrel and ejecting forward movement the breech-bolt is locked in the ceiver, the said sections of the flange-way holding cartridge in' the barrel and engaging the cartridge in cartridge-feed, substantially as specified.

29. In a recoil-operated gun, the combination of the and i bolt-tube, the cartridge-feed-wheel in the casing operated by the movements of the barrel to hold `a cartridge above and alined with the barrel, the breech-bolt having the transversely projecting cross-head and the cam-grooves.

land provided on its face with opposite sections of a flangeway. for engaging cartridges and carrying a firing-pin in each arm of the cross-head, the bolt-tube connected with inrit-latch' in the casing and the controller for the said tiring-pins and having radial studs projecting through the said cam-grooves and having.,y the opposite straight grooves and spiral grooves, the guide-grooves in the casing and in the receiver for the cross-head and for the said studs, the locking recess and the ejecting passage.

in the receiver and the exit in the casing, the hammer and main-spring mounted in the casing and in the receiver, and the spring-pressed scar pivoted in the receiver,

separate springs for movin;r the barrel and receiver and the bolt-tube forward, the spring-pressed.cam-pin and the releasing the bolt-iatch, a handle for moving the barrel and receiver. whereby tite barrel and receiver, breech-bolt and boit-tube are moved'rearward interlocked, the barrel and revolve are returned forward, the bolt-tube is held retracted, tbe hammer is cocked, and the breech-bolt is unlockedl and retained, extracting the cartridge from the feed-wheel and the cartridge-case from the barrel, and on the release oi' the bolt-latch the breech-bolt and bolt-tube are returned forward, ejecting the cartridge-case and moving the cartridge into the barrel, and, at the end of the forward movement, the breech-holt is locked and the hammer released,

substantially as specified. 1.

30.'In a recoil-operated gun, the combination of the casing, the recoiling barrel ,and receiver', breech-bolt and bolt-tube, the cartridge-feed-wheel' in the casing operated by the movements of the barrel to hold a, cartridge above and alined with the barrel., the breech-bolt having the` cross-head and camgrooves, andv provided on its face with sections of a flange-way for engaging cartridges, and carryfing a ring-pin in each arm of the cross-head, the-bolttube having radial studs projecting through ,the said camgrooves and having the opposite straight grooves and spiral grooves, the casing having a recess and the receiver having a lug guided in the said recess, the casing and the receiver having guide-grooves for the cross-'head and for ihe said studs, the locking-recess, the overhang and the passage in the receiver and the exit in the casing for thev ejection of cartridgezcases, the hammer 'and main-spring mounted in thecasing and in the receiver, and the springA pressed scar pivoted in the receiver, u, spring for -moving` vthe barrel and receiver forward, and a spring for moving the bolt-tube forward,I the spring-pressed 'cam-pin and 'bolt-latch for guiding and for rotating the bolt-tube and eating barrel, of a reciprocating and rotating breech-mechanism, a tiring-mechanism; and a manually operable'. con,- trollcr to determine the successive 'operations of 'sa-id vvbreech-irlccha'nism and of said firing-mechanism, substantially as described.

32. in a machine-gun. the combination of the reciprocating barrel and breech-block, the tiring-mechanism'opcrable by the breech-block, a 'la en to engage and to hold thesaid brccch-blmk.l and al' for operating saidlatch to fr ase said breech-block, and to -ctect the' operation of said tiring-mechanism, substantially as specified. Y

33j In a machine-gun, the combination, with the reciprocating barrel, of a reciprocating and rotating breechblock, a firing-mechanism. Ia-lal'ch to engage and retain' said breech-block, and a manually operable controller for moving said latch to release said breech-block and to effect the operation of the tiring-mechanism, substantially asA spcciiied.

34.' in a machine-gun, the combination, with the reciprocating barrel, of the reciprocating breech-mechanism, comprising the rotating breech-bolt and the rotating bolt-tube, tiring-mechanism operated by the breech-mechanism, and a manually operable controller ,to determine the operation of said breech-mechanism, and the operation of the firingmechanism, substantially as described.

35. ln a machine-gun, the combination, with the reciproeating barrel, of the reciprocating and rotating breechholt. thc reciprocating and rotating bolt-tube niovably` mounted in said breech-bolt, firing m`echanism operable solely by the movements' of said brcech-bolt-and bolt-tube, and a manually operable controller to determine the succcssive operations of said breech-boi, and bolt-tube, and of said firing-mechanism, substantially as specified.

r 36. ln a machine-gun. the combination of the recil'iro-A eating breech-block carrying a plurality of firing-pins, the

firing-mechanism operated by the breech-block to actualiinsucrcssion cach of said firing-pins, and c manually opannally operable controller erable controller to determine the operation of said breechblock, substantially as described.

3T. In a machine-gun. the combination of the reciprocatand hold said breech-block, and a manually operable'con-l troller for said latch, substantially-as specied.

38. In a machine-gun in combination with the reciprocaring breech-block having a transverseiy projecting crossbend and carrying a iiring-pin in each of the arms thereof, the firing-mechanism operated by the breech-block to actunte in succession each of said firing-pins, and a manually operable controller to determine the operation of said breech-block, substantially as described.

39. In a machine-gun, in combination with the reciprocating breech-block having a transversely projecting crosshcnd and carryinga ftiring-pin in each of the arms thereof, ihc firing-mechanism operated by thet breech-block to actuate in succession each of the said tiring-pins, a latch to en- ,frage and hold said breech-block, and a manually operable controller for said latch, substantially as specified.

40. ln a machine-gun, the combination of a reciprocate' ing barrel, cartridge-feeding mechanism operated by the rcciprocation of the barrel, a receiver carried by the barrel, a breech-block mounted to reciprocate in said receiver, ond a connector between the cartridge-feeding mechanism and said receiver, operated by tllegmovements of said receiver to limit the movement'of-.sad feeding mechanism in one direction and to prevent movement of the same in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

41; .In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the barrel mounted for reciprocation in the casing, cartridgefeeding mechanism operated by the reciproeation of theY barrel, a receiver carried by the barrel, a breech-block mounted-toreciprocate in said receiver, and a connector located in the casing, operated by the movements of the receiver, and provided with projections engaging said feeding mechanism, to limit the movement of the same in one direction and to prevent movement of the same in the opposite direction, substantially as specified.

42. ln a machine-gun, the combination of a casing a movable cover therefor, a reciprocating breech-mechanism, and a safety-device to, prevent operation of said breechmechanism, and operated by the closing of saidV cover to rclcnse said breech-mechanism for operation, substantially :1s described.

A3. In n machine-gnu, the combination of a casing, a

movable cover therefor, a reciprocating breech-mechanism, a manually operable controller to determine the operation `-'of'said breech-mechanism, and a safety-device to prevent operation of said controller, and operated by the closing of said cover to release said controller, substantially as 44. ln a machine-gun, thc combination of a casing, the movable cover therefor, a reciprocating breech-block, a` latch to engage and hold"said breech-block, a manually operable controllerV for said latch, and a safety-device to prevent opcration of said controller and operated by the clos-V ing of said cover to release said controller,substantially as described.

45. In a machine-gun, the combination of a casing, al movable cover therefor, a locking-device for said cover, a reciprocating breechmechanism` and a safety-device to prevent operation of said breech-mechanism, and operated by the locking4 of said cover to release said breech-mechanism for operation, substantially as described. 4

46. In a machine-gun, the combinatlonof a casing, a movable cover therefor, a locking-device forsaid coverya reciprocating breech-mechanism, a manually operalzlefcon- `trollcr to determine the operation of said breech-mechanism. and a safety-device to prevent operation of said controller, and operated by the locking of said cover to release said controller, substantially as specified.

47. ln a machine-gun, the combination of a casing, a movable cover therefor, a locking-device for said cover, a* reciprocating breech-block, a latch to engage and hold said breech-block. a manually operable controller for said latch, and a safety-device to prevent operation of said controller, and operated by the locking of said cover to release said controller, substantially as specified.

48. In a machine-gun, the combination of the casing, the recoiling barrel and receiver, the reciprocating breechblock, means for rotatlng'vaid breech-block to lock the same in the receiver, drin-g e'chanism cocked by the reciprocation and released li rotation of the said breechblock, a latch to 'engage andl 'old 'said breech-block, and a manually operable controller for'said latch, substantially as specified. Y

This specification signed :and `witnessed this .twentyninth day ofOctober, A. D. 19'04;

MORTIMER L. BRISTOL.

In the presergxe oi- C. J. EHBETS, K. POWERS. 

